Dan’s Daily: Marleau Breaks Record, Bennett Goal & Fight

No NHL player has shown up for work more often than Patrick Marleau. After 23 seasons and a few teams, Marleau broke Gordie Howe’s games-played record. We examined what makes these Pittsburgh Penguins different. The apple of a few Penguins fans’ eyes at the NHL trade deadline, Sam Bennett had a pretty good night for Florida, and the 2021 NHL Draft class does not appear to be a bumper crop.

We’ll start with the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: From Jason Zucker to the PK, there are three lessons to learn or issues to address from last week as the Penguins get set for their final 11-game stretch. 

PHN+: What makes these Pittsburgh Penguins different than the last two seasons? There are two reasons the Penguins have a real chance. 

San Jose Hockey Now: Patrick Marleau broke Gordie Howe’s Record. The Joe Thornton tribute was…different and funny. The tributes, Joe Thornton’s hilarious tribute, and amazing stats. 

Thornton’s tribute isn’t the way I would have gone, but it sure got a laugh.

TSN: The Canadian sports giant polled 10 scouts to create a mid-season power ranking for the 2021 NHL Draft prospects. Owen Power is the consensus No. 1 pick, but the top picks are downgraded compared to previous years. 

Maybe the price that former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford paid for Jason Zucker (Calen Addison, 2021 first-round pick, Alex Galchenyuk) on the NHL trade market won’t be as painful as we thought.

National Hockey Now

Florida (VIDEO): On a night when Marleau broke Howe’s GP record, Sam Bennett almost had the Gordie Howe hat trick. On Monday, Bennett scored and fought. 

Who didn’t want Bennett at the NHL trade deadline?

Boston: The Bruins are also on a roll. They are winning “with the type of hockey you want to be playing.”

NYI: The Islanders want more from their young defenseman Noah Dobson. Head coach Barry Trotz said so. 

Philly: Last year, Oskar Lindblom beat back cancer. He was overcome with emotion on Hockey Fights Cancer night as the Flyers paid tribute. 

Vegas: The “Western” powers are rolling. VGK beat San Jose for their seventh straight win. 

Colorado: A surgeon discussed — in detail — the type of surgery goalie Pavel Francouz likely had and what it involves.